Brevet US7883793 - Battery module having battery cell assemblies with alignment-coupling features

Numéro de publication	US7883793 B2
Type de publication	Octroi
Numéro de demande	12/164,741
Date de publication	8 févr. 2011
Date de dépôt	30 juin 2008
Date de priorité	30 juin 2008
Autre référence de publication	CN102067354A EP2293363A2 US20090325059 WO2010002142A2 WO2010002142A3 WO2010002142A9
Inventeurs	Igor Isayev Mark Niedzwiecki Heekook Yang
Cessionnaire d'origine	Lg Chem, Ltd.
Classification aux États-Unis	429/120 429/151 429/157 429/152 429/159
Classification internationale	H01M10/50 H01M6/42
Classification coopérative	H01M10/052 Y02E60/12 H01M2/0245 H01M10/5032 H01M10/5004 H01M10/5075 H01M10/5059 H01M2/1077
Classification européenne	H01M2/10C4B H01M2/02C6 H01M10/50H4 H01M10/50K10K2 H01M10/50C2 H01M10/50K12D
Références	Citations de brevets (105) Citations hors brevets (23) Référencé par (4)

Liens externes	USPTO Cession USPTO Espacenet

Battery module having battery cell assemblies with alignment-coupling features

US 7883793 B2

Résumé

A battery module having battery cell assemblies with alignment-coupling features is provided. The battery module includes a first battery cell assembly having at least first, second, third and fourth alignment-coupling features thereon. The battery module further includes a second battery cell assembly having at least fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth alignment-coupling features thereon. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth alignment-coupling features of the second battery cell assembly are configured to engage the first, second, third and fourth alignment-coupling features, respectively, of the first battery cell assembly to couple the second battery cell assembly to the first battery cell assembly and to align the second battery cell assembly relative to the first battery cell assembly.

Dessins(37)

Revendications

1. A battery module, comprising:

a first battery cell assembly having at least first, second, third and fourth alignment-coupling features thereon; and

a second battery cell assembly having at least fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth alignment-coupling features thereon, the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth alignment-coupling features of the second battery cell assembly configured to engage the first, second, third and fourth alignment-coupling features, respectively, of the first battery cell assembly to couple the second battery cell assembly to the first battery cell assembly and to align the second battery cell assembly relative to the first battery cell assembly, wherein the first battery cell assembly comprises:

a first rectangular ring-shaped frame member having a first side and a second side, the second side of the first rectangular ring-shaped frame member having at least ninth tenth eleventh and twelfth and twelfth alignment-coupling features thereon;

a first battery cell having a first side and a second side, the second side of the first battery cell contacting at least a portion of the second side of the first rectangular ring-shaped frame member;

a second battery cell having a first side and a second side, the first side of the second battery cell contacting the second side of the first battery cell; and

a second rectangular ring-shaped frame member having a first side and a second side, the first side of the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member having at least thirteenth, fourteenth fifteenth and sixteenth alignment-coupling features thereon, the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth alignment-coupling features of the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member configured to engage the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth alignment-coupling features, respectively, of the first rectangular ring-shaped frame member to couple the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member to the first rectangular ring-shaped frame member to align the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member relative to first rectangular ring-shaped frame member.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth alignment-coupling features of the first battery cell assembly have different shapes from the other alignment-coupling features of the first battery cell assembly.

3. The battery cell assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth alignment-coupling features on the second side of the first rectangular ring-shaped frame member have different shapes from the other alignment-coupling features on the second side of the first battery cell assembly.

4. The battery cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the first side of the first rectangular ring-shaped frame member has the first, second, third and fourth alignment-coupling features thereon, each of the first, second, third and fourth alignment-coupling features having different shapes as compared to each of the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth alignment-coupling features on the second side of the first rectangular ring-shaped frame.

5. The battery cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the second side of the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member has seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth alignment-coupling features thereon.

6. The battery cell assembly of claim 5, further comprising:

a heat exchanger having a first side and a second side, the first side of the heat exchanger contacting both the second side of the second battery cell and the second side of the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member;

a third battery cell having a first side and a second side, the first side of the third battery cell contacting the second side of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger being configured to remove heat energy from the first, second, and third battery cells to maintain the first, second, and third battery cells at substantially a desired temperature; and

a third rectangular ring-shaped frame member having a first side and a second side, the first side of the third rectangular ring-shaped frame member having at least twenty-first, twenty-second, twenty-third, and twenty-fourth alignment-coupling features thereon, the twenty-first, twenty-second, twenty-third, and twenty-fourth alignment-coupling features of the third rectangular ring-shaped frame member configured to engage the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth alignment-coupling features, respectively, of the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member to couple the third rectangular ring-shaped frame member to the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member and to align the third rectangular ring-shaped frame member relative to second rectangular ring-shaped frame member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to a battery module having battery cell assemblies with alignment-coupling features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Battery packs generally have a plurality of battery cells. However, during manufacture, aligning the battery cells in a housing is relatively difficult and time consuming.

Accordingly, the inventors herein have recognized a need for an improved battery module that can minimize and/or eliminate the above-mentioned deficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A battery module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The battery module includes a first battery cell assembly having at least first, second, third and fourth alignment-coupling features thereon. The battery module further includes a second battery cell assembly having at least fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth alignment-coupling features thereon. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth alignment-coupling features of the second battery cell assembly are configured to engage the first, second, third and fourth alignment-coupling features, respectively, of the first battery cell assembly to couple the second battery cell assembly to the first battery cell assembly and to align the second battery cell assembly relative to the first battery cell assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a battery module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic of a portion of the battery module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic of a battery cell assembly utilized in the battery module of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another schematic of the battery cell assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is another schematic of the battery cell assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic of a top portion of the battery cell assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional schematic of a bottom portion of the battery cell assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a first side of a first rectangular ring-shaped frame member utilized in the battery cell assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a schematic of a bottom portion of the first side of the first rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of a top portion of the first side of the first rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a schematic of a second side of the first rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a schematic of a bottom portion of the second side of the first rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic of a top portion of the second side of the first rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a schematic of a first side of a first battery cell utilized in the battery cell assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 15 is a schematic of a second side of the first battery cell of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a schematic of a first side of a first securement ring-shaped member utilized in the battery cell assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 17 is a schematic of a second side of the first securement ring-shaped member of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a schematic of a first side of a second rectangular ring-shaped frame member utilized in the battery cell assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 19 is a schematic of a bottom portion of the first side of the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a schematic of a top portion of the first side of the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a schematic of a second side of the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a schematic of a bottom portion of the second side of the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a schematic of a top portion of the second side of the second rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a schematic of a first side of a heat exchanger utilized in the battery cell assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 25 is a schematic of a second side of the heat exchanger of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional schematic of the heat exchanger of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a schematic of a first side of a second securement ring-shaped member utilized in the battery cell assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 28 is a schematic of a second side of the second securement ring-shaped member of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a schematic of a first side of a third rectangular ring-shaped frame member utilized in the battery cell assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 30 is a schematic of a bottom portion of the first side of the third rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a schematic of a top portion of the first side of the third rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is a schematic of a second side of the third rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 29;

FIG. 33 is a schematic of a bottom portion of the second side of the third rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a schematic of a top portion of the second side of the third rectangular ring-shaped frame member of FIG. 21;

FIG. 35 is a schematic of another battery cell assembly utilized in the battery module of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 36 is a schematic of a cooling manifold utilized in the battery module of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery module 20 for providing electrical power is provided. The battery module 20 includes battery cell assemblies 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, heat exchangers 50, 52, 54, 56, side plates 60, 62, 64, 66, coupling plates 70, 72, an interconnect assembly 74, a cover 76, and cooling manifolds 78, 80. A battery cell assembly is defined as a housing having a battery cell therein. A battery module is defined as at least two battery cell assemblies coupled together.

The battery cell assemblies 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 are electrically coupled together utilizing the interconnect assembly 74. In particular, the interconnect assembly 74 electrically couples together electrical terminals from the battery cell assemblies in a desired configuration to provide an electrical current and voltage therefrom.

The heat exchangers 50, 52, 54, 56 receive a fluid from the cooling manifold 78 to cool the battery cell assemblies. The heated fluid from the heat exchangers 50, 52, 54, 56 is received by the cooling manifold 80.

The side plates 60, 62, 64, 66 are coupled to the battery cell assemblies to provide additional support for the battery cell assemblies. The coupling plates 70, 72 are provided to engage the side plates 64, 66 to provide additional support for the battery cell assemblies. The cover plate 76 is provided to cover the interconnect assembly 74.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, a battery cell assembly 32 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment that is utilized in the battery module 20 will be explained. The battery cell assembly 32 includes a rectangular ring-shaped frame member 90, a battery cell 92, a securement ring-shaped member 94, a battery cell 96, a rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98, a heat exchanger 100, a securement ring-shaped member 102, a battery cell 104, and a rectangular ring-shaped frame member 106. An advantage of the battery cell assembly 32 is that the assembly 32 is packaged such that a single heat exchanger 100 can cool the battery cells 92, 96, 104 to maintain the battery cells at a desired temperature. Further, the rectangular ring-shaped frame members 90, 98, 106 have alignment-coupling features for easily coupling the frame members 90, 98, 106 together while preventing incorrect alignment and placement of the frame members 90, 98, 106 relative to one another.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 8, 9, 10 and 11, the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 90 is configured to be coupled to the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98 for holding the battery cell 92, the securement ring-shaped member 94, and the battery cell 96 therebetween. The rectangular ring-shaped frame member 90 includes a side 110 and an opposite side 112. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the frame member 90 includes side walls 114, 116, a lower wall 118, and an upper wall 120. The side walls 114, 116 are disposed apart from one another and are substantially parallel to one another. The lower wall 118 extends between the side walls 114, 116. Further, the upper wall 120 extends between the side walls 114, 116. The side walls 114, 116, the lower wall 118, and the upper wall 120 define an open region 122 therebetween.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 8, 9 and 10, the features of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 90 on the side 110 will now be discussed. The lower wall 118 includes alignment-coupling features 130, 132 disposed on opposite ends of the lower wall 118. Further, the upper wall 120 includes alignment-coupling features 134, 136 disposed on opposite ends of the upper wall 120. The alignment-coupling features 130, 132, 134, 136 are configured to couple and align with specific alignment-coupling features on the battery cell assembly 30 shown in FIG. 2. Further, the side walls 114, 116, the lower wall 118, and the upper wall 120 define a ledge portion 139. Further, the side walls 114, 116, have horizontal grooves 137, 138 for receiving a portion of an inlet port and an outlet port, respectively, of the heat exchanger 50 thereon shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 11, 12 and 13, the features of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 90 on the side 112 will now be discussed. The lower wall 118 includes alignment-coupling features 140, 142 disposed on opposite ends of the lower wall 118. Further, the upper wall 120 includes alignment-coupling features 144, 146 disposed on opposite ends of the upper wall 120. The alignment-coupling features 140, 142, 144, 146 are configured to couple and align with alignment-coupling features 232, 230, 236, 234, respectively, on the battery cell assembly 98 shown in FIG. 18. Further, the side walls 114, 116 and lower wall 118 and upper wall 120 define a ledge portion 150 for receiving a portion of the battery cell 92 thereon. Finally, referring to FIGS. 11 and 18, the side 112 of the frame member 98 includes a side coupling identifier “B” which indicates the side 112 is to be coupled to the side 200 of the frame member 98 having the side coupling identifier “B.”

Referring to FIGS. 3, 14 and 15, the battery cell 92 is provided to output an operational voltage between the electrical terminals 164, 166. The battery cell 92 includes a body portion 160 and a peripheral lip portion 162 extending around the body portion 160, and electrical terminals 164, 166 extending from the body portion 160. The battery cell 92 is generally rectangular-shaped and includes a side 156 and a side 158 opposite the side 156. In one exemplary embodiment, the battery cell 92 is a lithium battery cell. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the battery cell 92 can comprise other types of battery cells known to those skilled in the art. The size of the peripheral lip portion 162 is smaller than a size of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 90 such that the frame member 90 covers the peripheral lip portion 162 of the battery cell 92. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the battery cell 92 is disposed between the frame member 90 and a portion of the securement ring-shaped member 94 and the battery cell 96.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 16 and 17, the securement ring-shaped member 94 is provided to further secure the battery cells 92, 96 between the rectangular ring-shaped members 90, 98. The securement ring-shaped member 94 includes a side 180 and an opposite side 182. Further, the securement ring-shaped member 94 includes side walls 186, 188 disposed away from one another and substantially parallel to one another. Further, the securement ring-shaped member 94 includes an upper wall 190 and a lower wall 192 extending between the side walls 186, 188. The side walls 186, 188, the upper wall 190 and the lower wall 192 define an open region 193 therebetween. An outer peripheral size of the securement ring-shaped member 94 is smaller than an outer peripheral size of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 90 and smaller than an outer peripheral size of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the securement ring-shaped member 94 is disposed between the peripheral lip portions of the battery cells 92, 96 to further support the battery cells 92, 96.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the battery cell 96 is disposed between the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98 and both a portion of the battery cell 92 and the securement ring-shaped member 94. The structure of the battery cell 96 is substantially similar to the battery cell 92.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 18, 19, 20 and 21, the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98 is configured to be coupled to the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 90 for holding the battery cell 92, the securement ring-shaped member 94, and the battery cell 96 therebetween. Further, the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98 is provided to couple to the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 106 for holding the heat exchanger 100, the securement ring-shaped member 102, and the battery cell 104 therebetween. The rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98 includes a side 200 and an opposite side 202. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the frame member 98 includes side walls 214, 216, a lower wall 218, and an upper wall 220. The side walls 214, 216 are disposed apart from one another and are substantially parallel to one another. The lower wall 218 extends between the side walls 214, 216. Further, the upper wall 220 extends between the side walls 214, 216. The side walls 214, 216, the lower wall 218, and the upper wall 220 define an open region 222 therebetween.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 18, 19 and 20, the features of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98 on the side 200 will now be discussed. The lower wall 218 includes alignment-coupling features 230, 232 disposed on opposite ends of the lower wall 218. Further, the upper wall 220 includes alignment-coupling features 234, 236 disposed on opposite ends of the upper wall 220. The alignment-coupling features 230, 232, 234, 236 are configured to couple and align with alignment-coupling features 142, 140, 146, 144, respectively, on the side 112 of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 90 shown in FIG. 11. Further, the side walls 214, 216, the lower wall 218, and the upper wall 220 define a ledge portion 238. Finally, referring to FIGS. 18 and 11, the side 200 of the frame member 98 includes a side coupling identifier “B” which indicates the side 200 is to be coupled to the side 112 of the frame member 90 having the side coupling identifier “B.”

Referring to FIGS. 3, 21, 22 and 23, the features of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98 on the side 202 will now be discussed. The lower wall 218 includes alignment-coupling features 240, 242 disposed on opposite ends of the lower wall 218. Further, the upper wall 220 includes alignment-coupling features 244, 246 disposed on opposite ends of the upper wall 220. The alignment-coupling features 240, 242, 244, 246 are configured to couple and align with alignment-coupling features 432, 430, 436, 434, respectively, on the battery cell assembly 106 shown in FIG. 29. Further, the side walls 214, 216, the lower wall 218, and the upper wall 220 define a ledge portion 250 for receiving a portion of the heat exchanger 100 thereon. Further, the side walls 114, 116, have horizontal grooves 247, 248, respectively, for receiving a portion of an outlet port and an inlet port, respectively, of the heat exchanger 100 thereon. Finally, referring to FIGS. 21 and 29, the side 202 of the frame member 98 includes a side coupling identifier “A” that indicates the side 202 is to be coupled to the side 400 of the frame member 106 having the side coupling identifier “A.”

Referring to FIGS. 3, 6, 7, 24 and 25, the heat exchanger 100 is configured to cool the battery cells 92, 96 and 104 to maintain the battery cells at a desired temperature. The heat exchanger 100 is disposed between (i) a portion of the battery cell 96 and the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98, and (ii) a portion of the battery cell 104 and the securement ring-shaped member 102. The heat exchanger 100 includes a side 256 and an opposite side 258. The heat exchanger 100 further includes a housing 260, an inlet port 262, and an outlet port 264. The housing 260 defines a flow path 266 that extends from the inlet port 262 to the outlet port 264. During operation, fluid from the cooling manifold 78 flows through the inlet port 262 into the heat exchanger 100. Thereafter, the fluid flows through the flow path 266 to the outlet port 264. While flowing through the flow path 266, the fluid extracts heat energy from the battery cells 92, 96, 104 to cool the battery cells. From the outlet port 264, the heated fluid flows to the cooling manifold 80.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 27 and 28, the securement ring-shaped member 102 is provided to further secure the heat exchanger 100 and the battery cell 104 between the rectangular ring-shaped members 90, 106. The securement ring-shaped member 102 includes a side 280 and an opposite side 282. Further, the securement ring-shaped member 102 includes side walls 286, 288 disposed away from one another and substantially parallel to one another. Further, the securement ring-shaped member 102 includes an upper wall 290 and a lower wall 292 extending between the side walls 286, 288. The side walls 286, 288, the upper wall 290 and the lower wall 292 define an open region 293 therebetween. The side walls 286, 288 on the side 280 include grooves 300, 302, respectively, for receiving the inlet port 262 and the outlet port 264, respectively of the heat exchanger 100 thereon. An outer peripheral size of the securement ring-shaped member 102 is smaller than an outer peripheral size of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98 and smaller than an outer peripheral size of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 106. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the securement ring-shaped member 102 is disposed between the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98 and a peripheral lip portion of the battery cell 104.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the battery cell 104 is disposed between the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 106 and both a portion of the heat exchanger 100 and the securement ring-shaped member 102. The structure of the battery cell 104 is substantially similar to the battery cell 92.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 29, 30, 31 and 32, the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 106 is configured to be coupled to the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98 for holding the heat exchanger 100, the securement ring-shaped member 102, and the battery cell 104 therebetween. Further, the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 106 is provided to couple to the battery cell assembly 34 shown in FIG. 35 as will be explained in greater detail below. The rectangular ring-shaped frame member 106 includes a side 400 and an opposite side 402. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the frame member 106 includes side walls 414, 416, a lower wall 418, and an upper wall 420. The side walls 414, 416 are disposed apart from one another and are substantially parallel to one another. The lower wall 418 extends between the side walls 414, 416. Further, the upper wall 420 extends between the side walls 414, 416. The side walls 414, 416, the lower wall 418, and the upper wall 420 define an open region 422 therebetween. Further, the side walls 414, 416, the lower wall 418, and the upper wall 420 define a ledge portion.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 29, 30 and 31, the features of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 106 on the side 400 will now be discussed. The lower wall 418 includes alignment-coupling features 430, 432 disposed on opposite ends of the lower wall 418. Further, the upper wall 420 includes alignment-coupling features 434, 436 disposed on opposite ends of the upper wall 420. The alignment-coupling features 430, 432, 434, 436 are configured to couple and align with alignment-coupling features 242, 240, 246, 244, respectively, on the side 202 of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 98 shown in FIG. 21. Further, the side walls 414, 416, the lower wall 418, and the upper wall 420 define a ledge portion 439. Finally, referring to FIGS. 21 and 29, the side 400 of the frame member 106 includes a side coupling identifier “A” that indicates the side 400 is to be coupled to the side 202 of the frame member 98 having the side coupling identifier “A.”

Referring to FIGS. 3, 32, 33 and 34, the features of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 106 on the side 402 will now be discussed. The lower wall 418 includes alignment-coupling features 440, 442 disposed on opposite ends of the lower wall 418. Further, the upper wall 420 includes alignment-coupling features 444, 446 disposed on opposite ends of the upper wall 420. The alignment-coupling features 440, 442, 444, 446 are configured to couple and align with alignment-coupling features 532, 530, 536, 534, respectively, on the battery cell assembly 34 shown in FIG. 34. Finally, referring to FIGS. 32 and 35, the side 402 of the frame member 106 includes a side coupling identifier “C” which indicates the side 402 is to be coupled to a side of the frame member 450 having the side coupling identifier “C.”

Referring to FIG. 3, it should be noted that the alignment-coupling features on each of the rectangular ring-shaped frame members 90, 98, 106 have a different configuration from one another such that only a specific side of each of the rectangular ring-shaped members 90, 98, 106 can align and couple with another specific side of one of the other rectangular ring-shaped frame members 90, 98, 106.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 35, the battery cell assembly 34 is configured to be coupled to the battery cell assembly 32 in the battery module 20. The battery cell assembly 34 includes rectangular ring-shaped frame members 450, 452, 454. Further, the battery cell assembly 34 includes two battery cells, two securement frame members and an heat exchanger contained within the frame members 450, 452, 454. The rectangular ring-shaped frame member 450 includes side walls 514, 516, a lower wall 518, and an upper wall 520. The side walls 514, 516 are disposed apart from one another and are substantially parallel to one another. The lower wall 518 extends between the side walls 514, 516. Further, the upper wall 520 extends between the side walls 514, 516. The side walls 514, 516, the lower wall 518, and the upper wall 520 define an open region therebetween. The lower wall 518 includes alignment-coupling features 530, 532 disposed on opposite ends of the lower wall 518. Further, the upper wall 520 includes alignment-coupling features 534, 536 disposed on opposite ends of the upper wall 520. The alignment-coupling features 530, 532, 534, 536 are configured to couple and align with alignment-coupling features 442, 440, 446, 444, respectively, on the side 402 of the rectangular ring-shaped frame member 106 shown in FIG. 32.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 36, the cooling manifold 78 will be explained in further detail. In particular, the cooling manifold 78 is configured to route a fluid to inlet ports on the heat exchangers 50, 52, 54, 56 and to the heat exchangers in the battery cell assemblies 30, 32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44. The cooling manifold 78 includes a tubular member 600, an inlet port 602, and outlet ports 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632. The inlet port 602 is provided to receive fluid from a fluid reservoir into the tubular member 600. The tubular member 600 routes the fluid through the outlet ports 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, 624, 626, 628, 630, 632 to the respective inlet ports of the heat exchangers in the battery module 20. The cooling manifold 78 can be constructed from rubber or a rubber compound. Of course, in an alternative embodiment, the cooling manifold 78 can be constructed from other materials such as plastics, metals, or ceramics. The cooling manifold 80 has a substantially similar construction as the cooling manifold 78. The cooling manifold 80 is configured to receive heated fluid from outlet ports of the heat exchangers in the battery module 20 and to route the heated fluid to a fluid reservoir.

The battery module 20 has battery cell assemblies that provide a substantial advantage over other battery modules. In particular, the battery cell assemblies have alignment-coupling features providing a technical effect of allowing frame members of the battery cell assemblies to be easily coupled together while preventing incorrect alignment and placement of the frame members relative to one another.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed for carrying this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms, first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

Citations de brevets

Brevet cité	Date de dépôt	Date de publication	Déposant	Titre
US2273244	3 avr. 1940	17 févr. 1942	The Electric Storage Battery Company	Storage battery cell
US3503558	14 mars 1968	31 mars 1970	Electrolux Corporation	Exhaust diffusion manifold for a vacuum cleaner or the like
US3522100	18 déc. 1967	28 juil. 1970	Allmanna Svenska Elektriska Ab.	Fuel cell battery
US4390841	14 oct. 1980	28 juin 1983	Purdue Research Foundation	Monitoring apparatus and method for battery power supply
US5071652	11 déc. 1990	10 déc. 1991	Globe-Union Inc.	Metal oxide hydrogen battery having improved heat transfer properties
US5270131	30 oct. 1991	14 déc. 1993	Sulzer Brothers Limited	Module for a fuel cell battery
US5346786	21 mars 1994	13 sept. 1994	Hodgetts; Philip J.	Modular rack mounted battery system
US5354630	10 déc. 1992	11 oct. 1994	Comsat	Ni-H.sub.2 battery having improved thermal properties
US5385793	20 juil. 1992	31 janv. 1995	Globe-Union Inc.	Thermal management of battery systems
US5487958	6 déc. 1993	30 janv. 1996	Valence Technology, Inc.	Interlocking frame system for lithium-polymer battery construction
US5510203	15 août 1994	23 avr. 1996	Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.	Cell and module battery of sealed alkaline storage battery
US5520976	16 juin 1994	28 mai 1996	Simmonds Precision Products Inc.	Composite enclosure for electronic hardware
US5561005	28 avr. 1994	1 oct. 1996	Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.	Secondary battery having non-aqueous electrolyte
US5606242	4 oct. 1994	25 févr. 1997	Duracell, Inc.	Smart battery algorithm for reporting battery parameters to an external device
US5652502	7 juin 1995	29 juil. 1997	Duracell, Inc.	Battery pack having a processor controlled battery operating system
US5658682	20 févr. 1996	19 août 1997	Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha	Process for detecting remaining capacity of battery
US5663007	19 juin 1995	2 sept. 1997	Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.	Sealed storage battery and method for manufacturing the same
US5693432	22 déc. 1995	2 déc. 1997	Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.	Porous material-polymeric solid electrolyte composite, method for producing same and photoelectric conversion device using same
US5756227	16 nov. 1995	26 mai 1998	Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha	Battery assembly with temperature control mechanism
US5796239	2 avr. 1997	18 août 1998	Microchip Technology Incorporated	Battery pack having a processor controlled battery operating system
US5825155	9 mai 1997	20 oct. 1998	Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba	Battery set structure and charge/ discharge control apparatus for lithium-ion battery
US5982403	16 juil. 1997	9 nov. 1999	Ricoh Company, Ltd.	Potential estimating apparatus using a plurality of neural networks for carrying out an electrographic process
US6016047	12 nov. 1997	18 janv. 2000	U.S. Philips Corporation	Battery management system and battery simulator
US6099986	25 juil. 1997	8 août 2000	3M Innovative Properties Company	In-situ short circuit protection system and method for high-energy electrochemical cells
US6117584	25 juil. 1997	12 sept. 2000	3M Innovative Properties Company	Thermal conductor for high-energy electrochemical cells
US6121752	28 janv. 2000	19 sept. 2000	Hitachi, Ltd.	Battery unit having a plurality of rechargeable battery cells and method of charging the same
US6257328	12 oct. 1998	10 juil. 2001	Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.	Thermal conductive unit and thermal connection structure using the same
US6353815	4 nov. 1998	5 mars 2002	The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy	Statistically qualified neuro-analytic failure detection method and system
US6362598	26 avr. 2001	26 mars 2002	Vb Autobatterie Gmbh	Method for determining the state of charge and loading capacity of an electrical storage battery
US6413678	9 déc. 1999	2 juil. 2002	Ube Industries, Inc.	Non-aqueous electrolyte and lithium secondary battery using the same
US6422027	3 mai 2001	23 juil. 2002	Ford Global Tech., Inc.	System and method for cooling a battery pack
US6441586	23 mars 2001	27 août 2002	General Motors Corporation	State of charge prediction method and apparatus for a battery
US6448741	3 sept. 1999	10 sept. 2002	Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.	Temperature control method and structure for a battery pack
US6462949	7 août 2000	8 oct. 2002	Thermotek, Inc.	Electronic enclosure cooling system
US6515454	12 févr. 2002	4 févr. 2003	Robert Bosch Gmbh	Method and system for determining the capacity of a battery
US6534954	10 janv. 2002	18 mars 2003	Compact Power Inc.	Method and apparatus for a battery state of charge estimator
US6563318	23 mai 2001	13 mai 2003	Canon Kabushiki Kaisha	Detecting method for detecting internal state of a rechargeable battery, detecting device for practicing said detecting method, and instrument provided with said detecting device
US6709783	4 janv. 2001	23 mars 2004	Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.	Battery pack cooling structure
US6724172	30 déc. 2002	20 avr. 2004	Hyundai Motor Company	Method for determining a maximum charge current and a maximum discharge current of a battery
US6771502	28 juin 2002	3 août 2004	Advanced Energy Technology Inc.	Heat sink made from longer and shorter graphite sheets
US6780538	6 juin 2003	24 août 2004	Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.	Battery module, and rechargeable battery for constituting the battery module
US6821671	1 mars 2002	23 nov. 2004	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Method and apparatus for cooling and positioning prismatic battery cells
US6829562	13 févr. 2002	7 déc. 2004	Robert Bosch Gmbh	Method and device for state sensing of technical systems such as energy stores
US6832171	2 mai 2003	14 déc. 2004	Texas Instruments Incorporated	Circuit and method for determining battery impedance increase with aging
US6876175	6 juin 2002	5 avr. 2005	Robert Bosch Gmbh	Methods for determining the charge state and/or the power capacity of charge store
US6886249	27 sept. 2002	3 mai 2005	Advanced Energy Technology Inc.	Method for making finned heat sink assemblies
US6892148	2 mai 2003	10 mai 2005	Texas Instruments Incorporated	Circuit and method for measurement of battery capacity fade
US6927554	28 août 2003	9 août 2005	General Motors Corporation	Simple optimal estimator for PbA state of charge
US6943528	8 nov. 2001	13 sept. 2005	Robert Bosch Gmbh	Method and arrangement for determination of the state of charge of a battery
US6967466	26 août 2003	22 nov. 2005	Vb Autobatterie Gmbh	Method for determining the amount of charge which can be drawn on a storage battery, and monitoring device for a storage battery
US6982131	6 oct. 2000	3 janv. 2006	Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.	Structure for electrode terminals of battery module
US7012434	11 juil. 2003	14 mars 2006	Vb Autobatterie Gmbh	Method for determining the amount of charge which can be drawn from a storage battery and monitoring device
US7026073	28 janv. 2002	11 avr. 2006	Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.	Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
US7039534	20 oct. 2004	2 mai 2006	Ryno Ronald A	Charging monitoring systems
US7061246	18 févr. 2004	13 juin 2006	Johnson Controls Technology Company	Battery monitoring system and method
US7072871	22 août 2001	4 juil. 2006	Cadex Electronics Inc.	Fuzzy logic method and apparatus for battery state of health determination
US7098665	10 nov. 2003	29 août 2006	Vb Autobatterie Gmbh	Method for prediction of the internal resistance of an energy storage battery, and a monitoring device for energy storage batteries
US7109685	17 sept. 2003	19 sept. 2006	General Motors Corporation	Method for estimating states and parameters of an electrochemical cell
US7126312	28 juil. 2004	24 oct. 2006	Enerdel, Inc.	Method and apparatus for balancing multi-cell lithium battery systems
US7147045	19 avr. 2004	12 déc. 2006	Thermotek, Inc.	Toroidal low-profile extrusion cooling system and method thereof
US7197487	16 mars 2005	27 mars 2007	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Apparatus and method for estimating battery state of charge
US7199557	1 juil. 2003	3 avr. 2007	Eaton Power Quality Company	Apparatus, methods and computer program products for estimation of battery reserve life using adaptively modified state of health indicator-based reserve life models
US7229327	25 mai 2005	12 juin 2007	Alcoa Fujikura Limited	Canted coil spring power terminal and sequence connection system
US7250741	16 avr. 2004	31 juil. 2007	Hyundai Motor Company	Method and system for calculating available power of a battery
US7251889	28 oct. 2004	7 août 2007	Swales & Associates, Inc.	Manufacture of a heat transfer system
US7253587	5 août 2004	7 août 2007	Vb Autobatterie Gmbh	Method for prediction of electrical characteristics of an electrochemical storage battery
US7264902	19 juin 2002	4 sept. 2007	Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.	Battery system with excellent controllability for temperature
US7315789	23 nov. 2004	1 janv. 2008	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Method and system for battery parameter estimation
US7321220	25 mars 2004	22 janv. 2008	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Method for calculating power capability of battery packs using advanced cell model predictive techniques
US7327147	4 févr. 2005	5 févr. 2008	Vb Autobatterie Gmbh & Co. Kgaa	Device and method for determining characteristic variables for batteries
US7479758	8 déc. 2005	20 janv. 2009	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Battery pack casing with lock type connector
US20030184307	6 févr. 2003	2 oct. 2003	Kozlowski James D.	Model-based predictive diagnostic tool for primary and secondary batteries
US20050026014	31 juil. 2003	3 févr. 2005	Bathium Canada Inc.	Polymer batteries having thermal exchange apparatus
US20050100786	17 sept. 2004	12 mai 2005	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Nonaqueous lithium secondary battery with cyclability and/or high temperature safety improved
US20050127874	12 déc. 2003	16 juin 2005	Lg Chem Ltd.	Method and apparatus for multiple battery cell management
US20050134038	17 déc. 2004	23 juin 2005	Eaton Corporation	Fitting for fluid conveyance
US20050194936	17 déc. 2004	8 sept. 2005	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Apparatus and method for estimating state of charge of battery using neural network
US20060097698	11 nov. 2004	11 mai 2006	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Method and system for cell equalization using state of charge
US20060100833	11 nov. 2004	11 mai 2006	Lg Chem, Ltd.	State and parameter estimation for an electrochemical cell
US20060111854	23 nov. 2004	25 mai 2006	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Method and system for battery parameter estimation
US20060111870	23 nov. 2004	25 mai 2006	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Method and system for joint battery state and parameter estimation
US20070035307	30 janv. 2004	15 févr. 2007	Schoch Eberhard	State variable and parameter estimator comprising several partial models for an electrical energy storage device
US20070037051	8 août 2006	15 févr. 2007	Samsung Sdi Co., Ltd.	Battery module with improved cell barrier between unit cells
US20070046292	23 août 2005	1 mars 2007	Plett Gregory L	System and method for estimating a state vector associated with a battery
US20070103120	10 nov. 2005	10 mai 2007	Lg Chem, Ltd.	System, method, and article of manufacture for determining an estimated battery state vector
US20070120533	30 nov. 2005	31 mai 2007	Lg Chem, Ltd.	System, method, and article of manufacture for determining an estimated battery parameter vector
US20070126396	16 nov. 2006	7 juin 2007	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Battery module of high cooling efficiency
US20070188143	9 févr. 2006	16 août 2007	Lg Chem, Ltd.	System, method, and article of manufacture for determining an estimated combined battery state-parameter vector
US20070236182	2 mars 2006	11 oct. 2007	Plett Gregory L	System and method for determining both an estimated battery state vector and an estimated battery parameter vector
US20080094035	21 déc. 2007	24 avr. 2008	Lg Chem Ltd.	Method for calculating power capability of battery packs using advanced cell model predictive techniques
US20090325055	27 oct. 2008	31 déc. 2009	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Battery module having cooling manifold with ported screws and method for cooling the battery module
US20090325059	30 juin 2008	31 déc. 2009	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Battery Module Having Battery Cell Assemblies With Alignment-Coupling Features
CN1512518A	27 déc. 2002	14 juil. 2004	中国科学院物理研究所	Composite electrolyte and its use
EP0673553B1	8 déc. 1993	21 févr. 2001	Comsat Corporation	Ni-h2 battery having improved thermal properties
EP0736226B1	7 déc. 1994	24 mars 1999	Ballard Power Systems Inc.	Electrochemical fuel cell employing ambient air as the oxidant and coolant
EP1435675A1	16 août 2002	7 juil. 2004	Kuzmin, Gennady Yakovlevich	Accumulator
JP4056079A				Titre non disponible
JP8138735A				Titre non disponible
JP8222280A				Titre non disponible
JP9129213A				Titre non disponible
JP9219213A				Titre non disponible
JP10199510A				Titre non disponible
JP11066949A				Titre non disponible
JP11191432A				Titre non disponible
JP2003219572A				Titre non disponible

Citations hors brevets

Référence
1	Chinese Office Action dated Dec. 7, 2007 for Chinese Patent Application No. 200480025941.5 (PCT/KR2004/002399).
2	European Supplementary Search Report dated Aug. 28, 2009 for EP Application No. 04774658.
3	International Search Report for PCT/KR2009/000258 dated Aug. 28, 2009.
4	International Search report for PCT/KR2009/003434 dated Jan. 18, 2010.
5	Machine translation of JP 08-138735. (doc date May 31, 1996).
6	Machine translation of JP 10-199510. (doc date Jul. 31, 1998).
7	Machine translation of JP 2000 260469. (doc date Sep. 22, 2000).
8	U.S. Appl. No. 11/828,927, filed Jul. 26, 2007 entitled Battery Cell Carrier Assembly Having a Battery Cell Carrier for Holding a Battery Cell Therein.
9	U.S. Appl. No. 12/016,630, filed Jan. 18, 2008 entitled Battery Cell Assembly and Method for Assembling the Battery Cell Assembly.
10	U.S. Appl. No. 12/164,445, filed Jun. 30, 2008 entitled Battery Module Having a Rubber Cooling Manifold.
11	U.S. Appl. No. 12/164,627, filed Jun. 30, 2008 entitled Battery Module Having Cooling Manifold and Method for Cooling Battery Module.
12	U.S. Appl. No. 12/164,780, filed Jun. 30, 2008 entitled Battery Module Having Battery Cell Assembly With Heat Exchanger.
13	U.S. Appl. No. 12/165,100, filed Jun. 30, 2008 entitled Battery Cell Assembly Having Heat Exchanger with Serpentine Flow Path.
14	U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,073 filed Oct. 6, 2008 entitled Battery Cell Assembly and Method for Assembling the Battery Cell Assembly.
15	U.S. Appl. No. 12/426,795 filed Apr. 20, 2009 entitled Frame Member, Frame Assembly and Battery Cell Assembly Made Therefrom and Methods of Making the Same.
16	U.S. Appl. No. 12/433,155 filed Apr. 30, 2009 entitled Cooling System for a Battery System and a Method for Cooling the Battery System.
17	U.S. Appl. No. 12/433,397 filed Apr. 30, 2009 entitled Battery Systems, Battery Modules, and Method for Cooling a Battery Module.
18	U.S. Appl. No. 12/433,427 filed Apr. 30 ,2009 entitled Cooling Manifold and Method for Manufacturing the Cooling Manifold.
19	U.S. Appl. No. 12/433,485 filed Apr. 30, 2009 entitled Battery Systems, Battery Module, and Method for Cooling the Battery Module.
20	U.S. Appl. No. 12/433,534 filed Apr. 30, 2009 entitled Battery Systems, Battery Modules, and Method for Cooling a Battery Module.
21	U.S. Appl. No. 12/511,530 filed Jul. 29, 2009 entitled Battery Module and Method for Cooling the Battery Module.
22	U.S. Appl. No. 12/511,552 filed Jul. 29, 2009 entitled Battery Module and Method for Cooling the Battery Module.
23	U.S. Appl. No. 12/549,766 filed Aug. 28, 2009 entitled Battery Module and Method for Cooling the Battery Module.

Référencé par

Brevet citant	Date de dépôt	Date de publication	Déposant	Titre
US8067111	30 juin 2008	29 nov. 2011	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Battery module having battery cell assembly with heat exchanger
US8288031	28 mars 2011	16 oct. 2012	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Battery disconnect unit and method of assembling the battery disconnect unit
US8399118	29 juil. 2009	19 mars 2013	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Battery module and method for cooling the battery module
US8399119	28 août 2009	19 mars 2013	Lg Chem, Ltd.	Battery module and method for cooling the battery module

Brevets